Historical Diseases

noun a disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the diet, characterized by neurological symptoms and heart failure

• Beriberi is a disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine in the diet.
• My grandma used to tell me to eat my vegetables so I wouldn't get beriberi.
• I heard that skipping meals can give you beriberi, so make sure you eat regularly.
• In a metaphorical sense, neglecting self-care can lead to a form of 'beriberi' in terms of mental health.

adjective relating to or affected by consumption, especially tuberculosis

• The consumptive patient was advised to rest and follow a strict diet.
• My consumptive friend is always tired and needs to take better care of herself.
• I heard that girl is consumptive, she should probably see a doctor.
• The company's consumptive spending habits are causing financial strain.

noun a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucous membranes

• Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
• My great-grandfather was diagnosed with leprosy when he was young.
• I heard that rumor about her spreading faster than leprosy.
• The spread of misinformation can be compared to the way leprosy spreads, slowly but steadily damaging the community.

noun a disease caused by a deficiency of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin lesions, gastrointestinal disturbances, and mental disturbances

• Pellagra is a disease caused by a deficiency of niacin in the diet.
• My great-grandmother suffered from pellagra when she was young.
• I heard that pellagra was nicknamed the 'four Ds' disease back in the day.
• Neglecting self-care is like inviting pellagra into your life.

noun a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds

• Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C.
• My great-great-grandfather was a pirate who suffered from scurvy.
• Matey, watch out for scurvy on the high seas!
• Neglecting to eat fruits and vegetables is like inviting scurvy into your life.

noun an acute, highly contagious, and often fatal infectious disease caused by the variola virus and characterized by a high fever and a distinctive rash

• Smallpox was a highly contagious and deadly disease caused by the variola virus.
• I heard that smallpox was a really bad illness back in the day.
• Smallpox was no joke, it could really mess you up.
• The spread of rumors in our office was like a smallpox outbreak, it just wouldn't stop.

noun a chronic bacterial disease that is contracted chiefly by infection during sexual intercourse, but also congenitally by infection of a developing fetus

• Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.
• I heard that syphilis is making a comeback in our city.
• Dude, you better wrap it up or you might end up with syphilis.
• The spread of misinformation is like a syphilis of the mind, infecting and damaging thoughts and beliefs.